A Closer Look: How you can live a longer, healthier life

In A Closer Look, The National provides an in-depth take on one of the main stories of the week

For centuries people have searched for everything from mythical elixirs of youth to secrets for immortality to stave off the effects of ageing.

Longevity, the act of living a longer and healthier life, remains at the forefront of many people's minds, with billionaires spending millions a week on treatments to stay forever young.

But is it necessary to spend a fortune to avoid feeling old?

Here, host Sarah Forster speaks to The National's health editor, Nick Webster, to hear how far the wealthy go to achieve eternal youth but also how you might achieve the same results for next to nothing.

In the blue zone: The secrets to living beyond 100

Longevity: how science is pushing the boundaries for the first 150-year-old human

Body scanners at Arab Health 2024 to help increase lifespan: in pictures

Tue Lehn-Schioler, chief executive of BrainCapture wearing the device which helps to diagnose epilepsy and other neuro problems at the Arab Health conference held at Dubai World Trade Centre. Pictures: Pawan Singh / The National

Dr Hidayath Ali Ansari, staff physician in the imaging institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said MRI scans can be expensive.

The scanning machine on display at the Siemens Healthineers stand at Arab Health.

The latest scanners are much sleeker and less cumbersome than the larger models of the past, one expert told The National.

Visitors descend on the Anfas stand at Arab Health.

Vivek Kanade, Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers for the Middle East and Africa with the latest MRI scanner at Arab Health 2024 in Dubai. Photo: Siemens

How our nine-month-old has made the Canadian winter a little bit warmer for us

Canadians rallying around a targeted Syrian restaurant is telling about attitudes to migrants

Don Cherry and the real issue with being one of 'you people'

While you're here

Con Coughlin: To survive, Nato must renew its sense of common purpose

Gavin Esler: Nato summit failed for making news more than it made deals

Simon Waldman: Nato continues to be Ankara’s best security guarantor

More on this story

A mother’s plea for her children ‘illegally’ in UAE to be sent home to India

Illegal dependents can apply for visa amnesty, say lawyers

Overstay visa families told to settle cases before seeking amnesty

The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed

Power: 542bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh848,000

On sale: now

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate

Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead

Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble

Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence

Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground

Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile

Zayed Sustainability Prize

Clean water and solar homes: Zayed prize finalists present sustainability solutions

Youth take centre stage for this year's Zayed Sustainability Prize

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

Tomorrow 2021

Crown Prince reveals Tomorrow 2021 plan for Abu Dhabi's economy

Tomorrow 2021: Abu Dhabi business leaders predict stronger 2019

The UAE explained: What are the new plans for the economy and why do we need them?

Abu Dhabi's plans to liberalise the economy are progressing fast - but how are other countries planning for post-oil?

UAE-wide visa changes: Expats imagine life after work in the UAE

MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis

Young Emiratis are real target of fake news, Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis hears

Majlis 2018: Young Emiratis see entrepreneurship and innovation on the horizon

'Pursue what you love - not just a high salary', universities minister tells young Emiratis

• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain

• UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister

• Could the UAE drive India's economy?

• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it

• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture

• The National announces Future of News journalism competition

• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come

WWE Super ShowDown results

Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title

Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship

Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns

Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party

Randy Orton beats Triple H

Braun Strowman beats Bobby Lashley

Kofi Kingston wins against Dolph Zigggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal

The Undertaker beat Goldberg

Kareem Shaheen on Canada

Canada should look past the US election outcome

There would be no Alphonso Davies without open borders

Hard-hit Canada is springing back to life – or to the already cliched 'new normal'

Know before you go

Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.